System and method for remote access

ABSTRACT

A technique for remote access via a computing device is discussed. In one embodiment, a computing device receives data indicative of a card number associated with a bank-issued debit card. The debit card is associated with a bank account at a bank that issued the bank-issued debit card. The computing device also receives data indicative of an amount of cash to be deposited into the account based on an amount of cash provided at the computing device location. Encrypted data indicative of the card number and the data indicative of the amount of cash is routed to a gateway vendor server and is further routed to a payment network server for deposit of an amount corresponding to the data indicative of the amount of cash into the bank account associated with the card number.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/183,011 filed on Jun. 22, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Most people have bank accounts to manage their monetary assets. Banksand financial institutions typically issue a debit card to accountholders to enable consumers to access their bank accounts. Generally,consumers visit a bank branch or bank location to directly deposit fundsinto their bank accounts using a debit card.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method for remote access is provided. The methodincludes receiving, at a computing device, data indicative of a cardnumber associated with a bank-issued debit card. The debit card isassociated with a bank account at a bank that issued the bank-issueddebit card. The method also includes receiving data indicative of anamount of cash to be deposited into the account based on an amount ofcash provided at the computing device location, and encrypting the dataindicative of the card number associated with the bank-issued debitcard. The method further includes routing, via the computing device, theencrypted data indicative of the card number and the data indicative ofthe amount of cash to a gateway vendor server. The routing of the datais based on at least one digit of the card number. The gateway vendorroutes the encrypted data indicative of the card number and the dataindicative of the amount of cash to a payment network server for depositof the amount indicated by the data into the bank account associatedwith the card number.

In another embodiment, a system for remote access is provided. Thesystem includes a computing device module that is configured to receivedata indicative of a card number associated with a bank-issued debitcard, where the debit card is associated with a bank account at a bankthat issued the bank-issued debit card. The computing device module isfurther configured to receive an amount of cash to be deposited into theaccount based on an amount of cash provided at the computing devicelocation, encrypt the data indicative of the card number associated withthe bank-issued debit card to provide encrypted data indicative of thecard number, and route the encrypted data indicative of the card numberand data indicative of the amount of cash to a gateway vendor server.The routing is defined based on at least one digit of the card number.The gateway vendor server routes the encrypted data indicative of thecard number and the data indicative of the amount of cash to a paymentnetwork server for deposit of the amount indicated by the data into thebank account associated with the card number.

In yet another embodiment, a non-transitory machine readable mediumstoring instructions executable by a processing device, where executionof the instructions causes the processing device to implement a methodfor remote access. The method includes receiving, at a computing device,data indicative of a card number associated with a bank-issued debitcard. The debit card is associated with a bank account at a bank thatissued the bank-issued debit card. The method also includes receivingdata indicative of an amount of cash to be deposited into the accountbased on an amount of cash provided at the computing device location,and encrypting the data indicative of the card number associated withthe bank-issued debit card. The method further includes routing, via thecomputing device, the encrypted data indicative of the card number andthe data indicative of the amount of cash to a gateway vendor server.The routing of the data is based on at least one digit of the cardnumber. The gateway vendor routes the encrypted data indicative of thecard number and the data indicative of the amount of cash to a paymentnetwork server for deposit of the amount indicated by the data into thebank account associated with the card number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings and should not be construed to limit the present disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a cash deposit system implemented inmodules, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example method for depositing cash intoa bank account at a point-of-sale terminal, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example method for depositing cash intoa bank account at a point-of-sale terminal, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example method for depositing cash intoa bank account at a point-of-sale terminal, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example cash deposit system,according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example method for depositing cash intoa bank account at a point-of-sale terminal, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a network diagram depicting a system for implementingthe cash deposit system, according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device that may beused to implement exemplary embodiments of the cash deposit systemdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described in detail herein are methods, systems, and computer readablemedium for depositing cash into a bank account using a point-of-saleterminal in a retail store. Example embodiments provide for receivingdata indicative of a card number associated with a bank-issued debitcard, where the debit card is associated with a bank account at a bankthat issued the bank-issued debit card, receiving data indicative of theamount of cash to be deposited into the account based on an amount ofcash provided at the point-of-sale terminal, encrypting the data toprovide encrypted data indicative of the card number, routing theencrypted data indicative of the card number and the data indicative ofthe amount of cash to a gateway vendor server, and comparing the cardnumber to a first plurality of stored card numbers to determine whetherthe card number exists in the gateway vendor database. Exemplaryembodiments further provide, in response to determining a match betweenthe card number and a first stored card number of the first plurality ofstored card numbers in a gateway vendor database, routing the cardnumber and the data indicative of the amount of cash to a paymentnetwork server, comparing the card number to a second plurality ofstored card numbers to determine whether the card number exists in thepayment network database, and in response to determining a match betweenthe card number and a second stored card number of the second pluralityof stored card numbers in a payment network database, routing the cardnumber and the data indicative of the amount of cash to a bank serverassociated with the bank that issued the bank-issued debit card. Furtherexample embodiments provide for processing a transaction depositing theamount indicated by the data into the bank account associated with thecard number.

The systems and methods described herein provide for a funds transfersolution that allows customers with bank accounts to add cash to theirbank account by swiping their bank-issued debit card at any register ina retail store. The systems and methods described herein are bankagnostic. That is, the example systems herein can be implemented usingan account at any bank or financial institution that participates in thesystem can participate in the cash deposit system. Customers affiliatedwith participating banks can simply swipe their debit card, provide thecash at the point-of-sale system at the retail store, and have the fundsdeposited in their bank account.

Generally, consumers have to visit a bank branch or bank location todirectly deposit funds into their bank accounts using a debit card whichmay not always be convenient due to the limited number of banklocations. Additionally, consumers with bank accounts at internet/onlinebanks, community banks, credit unions or regional banks also need analternative way to deposit cash into their bank accounts when the bankbranch is not convenient to visit or it is closed. Due to the recenteconomic downturn, many banks and financial institutions have closedtheir physical branches and reduced the number of new branches beingopened. The cash deposit system described herein allows for customers toskip a trip to the bank, which may not be conveniently located or maynot be open when the customer wants to deposit cash into his or heraccount.

A point-of-sale (POS) terminal, as used herein, may be a computingdevice equipped with a processor and refers to a terminal or a systemlocated in a retail store or associated with a retail store, where acustomer can, for example, complete a checkout transaction to purchaseone or more items from the retail store. The POS terminal may also bereferred to herein as a POS system, a POS register, cash register, andthe like.

A third-party vendor, as used herein, refers to various vendors, otherthan the retail store, that aid in performing transactions using abank-issued debit card.

A gateway vendor, as used herein, refers to an entity, a company unit,or a company that provides connectivity to multiple endpoints forprocessing financial transactions. The gateway vendor allows toestablish a secure connection to a subset of payment networks. Examplesof gateway vendors are, but not limited to, Green Dot Corp., First DataCorp., Interactive Communications International, Inc., Vantiv Inc.,MoneyGram International Inc., Ria Money Transfer, and the like.

A payment network, as used herein, refers to an entity, a company unit,or company that provides processing services for retailers and banks toeffectuate point-of-sale transactions on behalf of consumers. Thepayment network allows to establish a secure connection to a subset ofbanks. Examples of payment networks are, but not limited to, NYCEPayment Network, LLC, STAR Network, MasterCard Inc., Visa Inc.,Discover, American Express Co., and the like.

A bank, as used herein, refers to a financial institution that providesvarious banking services to consumers, such as, maintaining a bankaccount, depositing funds into a bank account, withdrawing funds from abank account, issuing a debit card associated with a bank account, andthe like. A bank may have physical locations, or it may be a virtualbank (an online bank).

A bank-issued debit card, as used herein, refers to a debit card issuedby a bank or a financial institution that provides electronic access toa bank account maintained by the issuing bank or financial institution.A bank-issued debit card, as used herein, is different than a prepaiddebit card, or a reloadable gift card. A bank-issued debit card isassociated with a bank account, and is backed by a checking account at abank. In contrast, a prepaid debit card or a reloadable gift card is notbacked by a checking account at a bank. In one embodiment, the entityissuing and managing the account corresponding to the bank-issued debitcard is different than the entity that is in control of or provides thepoint-of-sale system.

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to create and use a computer system configuration and relatedmethod and article of manufacture to deposit cash into a bank account ata point-of-sale terminal. Various modifications to the exampleembodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, andthe generic principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. Moreover, in the following description, numerousdetails are set forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one ofordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may bepracticed without the use of these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and processes are shown in block diagram form inorder not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessarydetail. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited tothe embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistentwith the principles and features disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram 100 showing a cash deposit system in terms ofmodules according to an example embodiment. The modules may beimplemented in device 710 shown in FIG. 7 The modules include apoint-of-sale (POS) module 110, gateway vendor module 120, paymentnetwork module 130, and bank module 140. The modules may include variouscircuits, circuitry and one or more software components, programs,applications, apps or other units of code base or instructionsconfigured to be executed by one or more processors included in device710. In other embodiments, one or more of modules 110, 120, 130, 140 maybe included in servers 720, 730, 740 shown in FIG. 7, while other of themodules 110, 120, 130, 140 may be provided in the device 710. Althoughmodules 110, 120, 130, and 140 are shown as distinct modules in FIG. 1,it should be understood that modules 110, 120, 130, and 140 may beimplemented as fewer or more modules than illustrated. It should beunderstood that any of modules 110, 120, 130, and 140 may communicatewith one or more components included in system 700 shown in FIG. 7, suchas database(s) (e.g., POS database(s) 715, gateway vendor database(s)725, payment network database(s) 735), servers (e.g., gateway vendorserver 730, payment network server 730, bank server 740), or device(e.g., device 710).

The POS module 110 is configured to manage and analyze data received ata POS terminal in a retail store. For example, the POS module 110 may beconfigured to analyze data indicative of a card number, and route thedata to an appropriate gateway vendor server or module. The POS module110 may compare the card number with a plurality of stored card numbersto retrieve data indicative of a gateway vendor associated with the cardnumber. The POS module 110 may also be configured to encrypt datarelated to the card number and the amount of cash. In an exampleembodiment, the POS module 110 may be included at a POS system (forexample device 710 discussed in relation with FIG. 7) in a retail store.In an alternative embodiment, the POS module 110 may be included in aserver (for example POS server 712) associated with the POS terminal orthe retail store, and data received at a POS terminal in the retailstore is communicated to the server.

The gateway vendor module 120 is configured to manage and analyze datareceived from the POS module 110 including data indicative of the cardnumber and the amount of cash. For example, the gateway vendor module120 may be configured to compare the card number with a plurality ofstored card numbers, and route the data to an appropriate paymentnetwork server or module. In an example embodiment, the gateway vendormodule 120 may be included in a gateway vendor server (for examplegateway vendor server 720 discussed in relation to FIG. 7) associatedwith a gateway vendor. In an alternative embodiment, the gateway vendormodule 120 may be included in a user device (for example device 710 ofFIG. 7), along with the POS module 110.

The payment network module 130 is configured to manage and analyze datareceived from the gateway vendor module 120 including data indicative ofthe card number and the amount of cash. For example, the payment networkmodule 130 may be configured to compare the card number with a pluralityof stored card numbers, and route the data to an appropriate bank serveror bank module, or a third-party processing center employed by the bankthat issued the debit card. In an example embodiment, the paymentnetwork module 130 may be included in a payment network server (forexample payment network server 730 discussed in relation to FIG. 7)associated with a payment network. In an alternative embodiment, thepayment network module 130 may be included in a user device (for exampledevice 710 of FIG. 7), along with the POS module 110 and/or the gatewayvendor module 120.

The bank module 140 is configured to manage and analyze data receivedfrom the payment network module 130. For example, the bank module 140may be configured to process a deposit transaction based on the cardnumber and the amount of cash indicated in the received data. In anexample embodiment, the bank module 140 may be included in a bank server(for example bank server 740 discussed in relation to FIG. 7) associatedwith the bank that issued the debit card. In an alternative embodiment,the bank module 140 may be included in a user device (for example device710 of FIG. 7), along with one or more of the POS module 110, thegateway vendor module 120, and/or the payment network module 130.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example method 200 for depositing cashinto a bank account at a POS terminal. The method 200 may be performedusing the modules in the cash deposit system 100 shown in FIG. 1.

In operation 202, the POS module 110 receives data indicative of a cardnumber associated with a bank-issued debit card. The debit card isassociated with a bank account at a bank that issued the bank-issueddebit card. In some embodiments, the data indicative of the card numberis received when the bank-issued debit card is swiped or scanned at aPOS terminal in a retail store.

In operation 204, the POS module 110 receives data indicative of theamount of cash to be deposited into the bank account associated with thecard number. The data indicative of the amount of cash may entered by auser or the cashier operating the POS terminal based on an amount ofcash provided at a POS terminal.

In operation 206, the POS module 110 encrypts the data indicative of thecard number associated with the bank-issued debit card to provideencrypted data indicative of the card number. The encryption may beperformed based on the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS) requirements. In other embodiments, the data may be encrypted usingany other appropriate data encryption standards and methods. In someembodiments, the data indicative of the amount of cash is also encryptedto provide encrypted data indicative of the amount of cash to depositedinto the bank account associated with the card number.

In some embodiments, the POS module 110 compares at least one digit ofthe card number to a plurality of stored card numbers in a POS databaseassociated with the POS module 110 and/or POS terminal to determinewhether the card number exists in the POS database. In response todetermining a match between the at least one digit of the card numberand a stored card number of the plurality of stored card numbers, thePOS module 110 retrieves data indicative of a gateway vendorcorresponding to the card number from the POS database.

In operation 208, the POS module 110 routes the encrypted dataindicative of the card number and the data indicative of the amount ofcash to a gateway vendor server. The routing is defined based on atleast one digit of the card number. In some embodiments, the card numberis routed to a gateway vendor indicated by the data retrieved by the POSmodule 110 from the POS database, where the data is indicative of agateway vendor corresponding to the card number.

In some embodiments, the gateway vendor module 120 may be configured todecrypt the data received from the POS module 110 to obtain dataindicative of the card number and/or the amount of cash.

In operation 210, the gateway vendor module 120 compares one or moredigits of the card number to a first plurality of stored card numbers ina gateway vendor database associated with a gateway vendor server todetermine whether the card number exists in the gateway vendor database.In some embodiments, the gateway vendor module 120 may be configured toperform a fraud check based at least in part on the data indicative ofthe card number, and additional information provided by a user via thePOS terminal. A user may be prompted, via the POS terminal, to provideadditional information related to the bank account that is associated tothe card number. Such information may include, but is not limited to, aname on the account, an address associated with the account, a socialsecurity number associated with the account, a PIN number for theaccount, and the like.

In operation 212, the gateway vendor module 120, in response todetermining a match between the card number and a first stored cardnumber of the first plurality of stored card numbers in the gatewayvendor database, routes data indicative of the card number and dataindicative of the amount of cash to a payment network server. In someembodiments, the data indicative of the card number and data indicativeof the amount of cash is routed to the payment network module 130.

In operation 214, the payment network module 130 compares one or moredigits of the card number to a second plurality of stored card numbersin a payment network database associated with a payment network serverto determine whether the card number exists in the payment networkdatabase. In some embodiments, the payment network module 130 may beconfigured to perform a fraud check based at least in part on the dataindicative of the card number, and additional information provided by auser via the POS terminal. A user may be prompted, via the POS terminal,to provide additional information related to the bank account that isassociated to the card number. Such information may include, but is notlimited to, name on the account, address associated with the account,social security number associated with the account, a PIN number for theaccount, and the like. The fraud check can also be performed based onpast account behavior, for example, a number of deposits made in theaccount during a period of time, an amount of deposits made in theaccount, a difference in use of an account as compared to past usage,etc.

In operation 216, the payment network module 130, in response todetermining a match between the card number and a second stored cardnumber of the second plurality of stored card numbers in the paymentnetwork database, routes data indicative of the card number and dataindicative of the amount of cash to a bank server associated with thebank that issued the bank-issued debit card. In some embodiments, thedata indicative of the card number and data indicative of the amount ofcash is routed to the bank module 140.

In operation 218, the bank module 140 processes a transaction depositingthe amount of cash indicated by the data indicative of the amount ofcash into the bank account associated with the card number. In someembodiments, the bank module 140 may be configured to perform a fraudcheck based at least in part on the data indicative of the card number,and additional information provided by a user via the POS terminal. Auser may be prompted, via the POS terminal, to provide additionalinformation related to the bank account that is associated to the cardnumber. Such information may include, but is not limited to, name on theaccount, address associated with the account, social security numberassociated with the account, a PIN number for the account, and the like.The user may be prompted once to enter such information, and the gatewayvendor module 120 and/or the payment network module 130 routes theadditional information to the bank module 140 along with the dataindicative of the card number and the amount of cash.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example method 300 for depositing cashinto a bank account at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. In operation 302,a cashier operating the POS terminal enters an action code in the(computing) system associated with the POS terminal. The system may beprogrammed to receive a plurality of action codes to perform a varietyof transactions at the POS terminal. The cashier may enter a specificaction code for depositing cash into a bank account using a debit cardassociated with the bank account and issued by the bank.

In operation 304, the cashier or the customer swipes the bank-issueddebit card at the POS terminal. The debit card may be swiped at a cardreader device provided at the POS terminal or the debit card may bescanned by a scanner provided at the POS terminal. In operation 306, thecashier or the customer may enter an amount of cash to be deposited intothe bank account associated with the debit card. The amount of cash maybe entered via an input interface of the computing system at the POSterminal or via a PIN pad provided at the POS terminal.

In operation 308, the data indicative of the card number and the amountof cash is sent to a third-party vendor. The cashier or the customer mayenter ‘OK,’ based on the accuracy of the information provided by thecustomer, to send the data to the third-party vendor. In an exampleembodiment, the third-party vendor processes the data and performs adeposit transaction using the card number and the amount of cash enteredat the POS terminal, as described in relation to method 200 shown inFIG. 2.

In some embodiments, there may be a processing fee or transaction feeassociated with the cash deposit transaction that is assessed by theretailer where the deposit transaction is initiated. In operation 310,the fee assessed by the bank is communicated to the POS terminal, anddisplayed on a display interface at the POS terminal for the customerand the cashier to view. The cashier may enter another action code ortake appropriate steps so that the customer can pay for the fee. Inoperation 310, the customer pays for the fee assessed by the bank viathe POS terminal.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example method 400 for depositing cashinto a bank account at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. At operation 402,the cashier puts the POS register in “add cash” mode to perform adeposit transaction. At operation 404, the customer swipes or scans hisor her bank-issued debit card at the POS terminal via a card readerdevice or a scanner device. At operation 406, the customer provides anamount of cash to the cashier to be deposited into the bank accountassociated with the debit card. At operation 408, the cashier enters anumber via an input interface of the POS terminal indicating the amountof cash provided by the customer.

At operation 410, data indicative of the account information associatedwith the swiped debit card is sent to a third party aggregator. Dataindicative of the amount of cash is also sent to the third partyaggregator, also known as the gateway vendor. At operation 412, thethird party aggregator send the received account information and cashamount information to a payment network. The data may be sent to aserver associated with the payment network. At operation 414, thepayment network sends the account information and the cash amountinformation to an affiliated bank that issued the debit card swiped atthe POS terminal.

At operation 416, the issuing bank accepts the cash and deposits theamount into the customer's bank account that is associated with thedebit card swiped at the POS terminal. The issuing bank may perform afraud check to verify the identity of the customer and the informationrelated to the account. At operation 418, the payment network receivesan acknowledgement from the issuing bank indicating acceptance of thedeposit transaction by the bank. At operation 420, the third partyaggregator receives an acknowledgment from the payment networkindicating acceptance of the deposit transaction by the bank. Atoperation 422, the third party aggregator sends an acknowledgment to thePOS terminal indicating acceptance of the deposit transaction by theissuing bank.

At operation 424, the POS terminal completes the transaction by updatingrecords to indicate cash received by the POS terminal. At operation 426,the POS terminal displays a receipt to the customer confirming theamount of cash to be deposited into the account. In some embodiments, atoperation 426, the POS terminal displays the total balance in the bankaccount associated with the debit card after the deposit transaction isperformed. In some embodiments, the issuing bank and the retail storewhere the POS terminal is located settles the accounts for the deposittransaction.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example cash deposit system500. The example cash deposit system 500 includes a point-of-sale (POS)system 510, a first vendor system 520, a second vendor system 530, and athird vendor system 540. Even though FIG. 5 depicts four systems, thecash deposit system 500 may include fewer or more than four systems toperform the functionalities described herein.

The POS system 510 may be located at the retail store or may beassociated with the retail store where the deposit transaction isinitiated. The POS system 510 may include the one or more components ofthe POS terminal where the bank-issued debit card is swiped or scanned.The POS system 510 may also include one or more computing devices,databases and/or servers located at the retail store or associated withthe retail store.

The first vendor system 520 may be located at a gateway vendor or may beassociated with the gateway vendor corresponding to the card number onthe bank-issued debit card. The first vendor system 520 may include oneor more computing devices, databases and/or servers located at thegateway vendor or associated with the gateway vendor.

The second vendor system 530 may be located at a payment network vendoror may be associated with the payment network vendor corresponding tothe card number on the bank-issued debit card. The second vendor system530 may include one or more computing devices, databases and/or serverslocated at the payment network vendor or associated with the paymentnetwork vendor.

The third vendor system 540 may be located at a bank that issued thedebit card or may be associated with the issuing bank. The third vendorsystem 540 may include one or more computing devices, databases and/orservers located at the issuing bank or associated with the issuing bank.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example method 600 for depositing cashinto a bank account at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. The method 600may be performed via the cash deposit system 500 described in relationto FIG. 5. In other embodiments, the method 600 may be performed via thecash deposit system 100 described in relation to FIG. 1 or the networksystem 700 described in relation to FIG. 7.

At block 602, the cashier logs on to the POS terminal or activates thePOS terminal for a deposit transaction. At block 604, the POS terminalreads a bank-issued debit card, for example, via a card reader device ora scanning device provided at the POS terminal. At block 606, the POSsystem 510 determines whether the card number associated with the swipeddebit card is ‘on file,’ that is, the card number is stored in theretail store's records. The POS system 510 determines whether the cardnumber is on file by comparing one or more digits of the card number toa plurality of stored card numbers in one or more databases associatedwith the POS system 510. In some embodiments, the POS system 510compares 6 or more, including up to 10 or more, digits of the cardnumber to determine whether the card number is on file. The databasesmay store information related to card numbers for a plurality ofbank-issued debit cards that are available to participate in the cashdeposit system at the retail store. The databases may also storeinformation related to third-party vendors (that aid in completingtransactions) corresponding to each of the plurality of debit cardnumbers. If the card number is not found in the databases associatedwith the POS system 510, then the method proceeds to block 608. At block608, the method 600 ends, and indication of the end of the process iscommunicated to the POS terminal (at block 602).

If the card number is on file, and is found in the databases associatedwith the POS system 510, then the method 600 continues to block 610. Atblock 610, the POS system 510 routes the card number information andcash amount information to a first third-party vendor corresponding tothe card number.

At block 612, the first third-party vendor receives the card numberinformation and the cash amount information at the first vendor system520. Based on the received information, the first vendor system 520 (atblock 614) determines whether the card number is on file. That is, thefirst vendor system 520 compares the card number to a plurality of cardnumbers stored in databases associated with the first vendor system 520.If the card number is not found in the databases associated with thefirst vendor system 520, then the method proceeds to block 618. At block618, the method 600 ends, and indication of the end of the process iscommunicated to the POS terminal (at block 602).

If the card number is on file, and is found in the databases associatedwith the first vendor system 520, then the method 600 continues to block620. At block 620, the first vendor system 520 performs a fraud check toverify that a fraudulent transaction is not being attempted. The fraudcheck may verify the identity of the user in possession of the debitcard, and may verify that the debit card was not reported to be stolenor lost. The fraud check may also verify account information, and thevalidity of the account information. If the fraud check fails, then themethod ends at block 622, and an indication of the end of the process iscommunicated to the POS terminal (at block 602).

If the fraud check passes, then the method 600 proceeds to block 624. Atblock 624, the first vendor system 520 verifies that all of the fraudrules were passed. If all of the fraud rules were not passed, then themethod ends at block 626, an indication of the end of the process iscommunicated to the POS terminal (at block 602).

If all of the fraud rules received a pass flag at block 624, then themethod 600 proceeds to block 628. At block 628, the first vendor system520 routes the card number information and cash amount information to asecond third-party vendor corresponding to the card number.

At block 628, the second third-party vendor receives the card numberinformation and the cash amount information at the second vendor system530. Based on the received information, the second vendor system 530 (atblock 630) determines whether the card number is on file. That is, thesecond vendor system 530 compares the card number to a plurality of cardnumbers stored in databases associated with the second vendor system530. If the card number is not found in the databases associated withthe second vendor system 530, then the method proceeds to block 632. Atblock 632, the method 600 ends, and an indication of the end of theprocess is communicated to the POS terminal (at block 602).

If the card number is on file, and is found in the databases associatedwith the second vendor system 530, then the method 600 continues toblock 634. At block 634, the second vendor system 530 routes the cardnumber information and cash amount information to a third third-partyvendor corresponding to the card number.

At block 634, the third vendor system 540 receives the card informationand cash amount information. Based on the received information, thethird vendor system 540 (at block 638) determines whether the cardnumber is on file. That is, the third vendor system 540 compares thecard number to a plurality of card numbers stored in databasesassociated with the third vendor system 540. If the card number is notfound in the databases associated with the third vendor system 540, thenthe method proceeds to block 638. At block 638, the method 600 ends, andan indication of the end of the process is communicated to the POSterminal (at block 602).

If the card number is on file, and is found in the databases associatedwith the third vendor system 540, then the method 600 continues to block640. At block 640, the third vendor system 540 performs a fraud check toverify that a fraudulent transaction is not being attempted. The fraudcheck may verify the identity of the user in possession of the debitcard, and may verify that the debit card was not reported to be stolenor lost. The fraud check may also verify account information, and thevalidity of the account information. If the fraud check fails, then themethod ends at block 642, and an indication of the end of the process iscommunicated to the POS terminal (at block 602).

If the fraud check passes, then the method 600 proceeds to block 644. Atblock 644, the third vendor system 540 completes the deposittransaction, and posts the transaction to the bank account associatedwith the debit card read by the POS terminal at block 604. At block 644,the third vendor system 540 also communicates an indication of thecompletion of the transaction to the POS terminal.

In this manner, the systems and methods described herein provide fordepositing cash into a bank account at a point-of-sale terminal in aretail store via the cash deposit system. The cash deposit systemenables customers with existing bank accounts and debit cards issued bythe bank to deposit money into their bank accounts via a retail store'sPOS terminal. The customer can swipe his or her bank-issued debit cardat the POS terminal to initiate the deposit transaction with the issuingbank. The cash deposit system routes card and cash amount informationprovided at the POS terminal to third-party vendors to complete thedeposit transaction. The information is routed based on the card number.The cash deposit system allows customers to skip a trip to their banks,and enables them to deposit money while they are at the retail store.

Additionally, many banks and financial institutions do not have physicalbranches that are conveniently located for the customers. In this case,the bank or financial institution can benefit from the cash depositsystem described herein by offering services to its customer via aconveniently located retail store.

FIG. 7 illustrates a network diagram depicting a system 700 forimplementing the cash deposit system, according to an exampleembodiment. The system 700 can include a network 705, a device 710,multiple servers, for example, gateway vendor server 720, paymentnetwork server 730, bank server 740, and multiple databases, forexample, POS database(s) 715, gateway vendor database(s) 725, andpayment network database(s). Each of the device 710, servers 720, 730,740, and databases 715, 725, 735 is in communication with the network705.

In an example embodiment, one or more portions of network 705 may be anad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network(VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular telephone network, awireless network, a WiFi network, a WiMax network, any other type ofnetwork, or a combination of two or more such networks.

The device 710 may comprise, but is not limited to, work stations,computers, general purpose computers, Internet appliances, hand-helddevices, wireless devices, portable devices, wearable computers,cellular or mobile phones, portable digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, netbooks, laptops, desktops,multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, game consoles, set-top boxes, network PCs, mini-computers,smartphones, tablets, netbooks, and the like. The device 710 may includesome or all components described in relation to computing device 800shown in FIG. 8.

In some embodiments, the device 710 is a POS system. In this case, thedevice 710, being a POS system, may comprise, but is not limited to,cash registers, work stations, computers, general purpose computers,Internet appliances, hand-held devices, wireless devices, portabledevices, wearable computers, cellular or mobile phones, portable digitalassistants (PDAs), smart phones, tablets, ultrabooks, netbooks, laptops,desktops, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, mini-computers, smartphones, tablets,netbooks, and the like. The device 710, being a POS system, is part of astore infrastructure and aids in performing various transactions relatedto sales and other aspects of a store. Being part of a store'sinfrastructure, the device 710 as a POS system may be installed withinthe store or they may be installed or operational outside of the store.For example, the device 710 may be a mobile device that a store employeecan use outside of the store to perform transactions or otheractivities. In another example, the device 710 may be a kiosk installedoutside the store. Similarly, the device 710 may be a mobile device thatcan be used within the store, and is not physically installed orattached to one particular location within the store.

The device 710 as a POS system may also include various external orperipheral devices to aid in performing sales transactions and otherduties. Examples of peripheral devices include, but are not limited to,barcode scanners, cash drawers, monitors, touch-screen monitors,clicking devices (e.g., mouse), input devices (e.g., keyboard), receiptprinters, coupon printers, payment terminals, and the like. Examples ofpayment terminals include, but are not limited to, card readers, pinpads, signature pads, signature pens, Square™ registers, LevelUp™platform, cash or change deposit devices, cash or change dispensingdevices, coupon accepting devices, and the like.

The device 710 may connect to network 705 via a wired or wirelessconnection. The device 710 may include one or more applications such as,but not limited to, a web browser, a sales transaction application, acard reader application, cash deposit system, and the like. In anexample embodiment, the device 710 may perform all the functionalitiesdescribed herein.

In other embodiments, the cash deposit system may be included on thedevice 710, and the servers 720, 730, 740 performs the functionalitiesdescribed herein. In yet another embodiment, the device 710 may performsome of the functionalities, and servers 720, 730, 740 performs theother functionalities described herein.

Each of the databases 715, 725, 735, and servers 720, 730, 740 isconnected to the network 705 via a wired connection. Alternatively, oneor more of the databases 715, 725, 735, and servers 720, 730, 740 may beconnected to the network 705 via a wireless connection. Although notshown, server 720, 730, 740 can be (directly) connected to thedatabase(s) 715, 725, 735. Servers 720, 730, 740 comprises one or morecomputers or processors configured to communicate with device 710 vianetwork 705. Servers 720, 730, 740 hosts one or more applications orwebsites accessed by device 710 and/or facilitates access to the contentof database(s) 715, 725, 735. Servers 720, 730, 740 may include one ormore components described in relation to system 100 shown in FIG. 1.Database(s) 715, 725, 735 comprise one or more storage devices forstoring data and/or instructions (or code) for use by servers 720, 730,740, and/or device 710. Database(s) 715, 725, 735, and/or servers 720,730, 740, may be located at one or more geographically distributedlocations from each other or from device 710. Alternatively, database(s)715, 725, 735 may be included within servers 720, 730, 740.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device 800 that maybe used to implement exemplary embodiments of the cash deposit system100 described herein. The computing device 800 includes one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media for storing one or morecomputer-executable instructions or software for implementing exemplaryembodiments. The non-transitory computer-readable media may include, butare not limited to, one or more types of hardware memory, non-transitorytangible media (for example, one or more magnetic storage disks, one ormore optical disks, one or more flash drives), and the like. Forexample, memory 806 included in the computing device 800 may storecomputer-readable and computer-executable instructions or software forimplementing exemplary embodiments of the cash deposit system 100. Thecomputing device 800 also includes configurable and/or programmableprocessor 802 and associated core 804, and optionally, one or moreadditional configurable and/or programmable processor(s) 802′ andassociated core(s) 804′ (for example, in the case of computer systemshaving multiple processors/cores), for executing computer-readable andcomputer-executable instructions or software stored in the memory 806and other programs for controlling system hardware. Processor 802 andprocessor(s) 802′ may each be a single core processor or multiple core(804 and 804′) processor.

Virtualization may be employed in the computing device 800 so thatinfrastructure and resources in the computing device may be shareddynamically. A virtual machine 814 may be provided to handle a processrunning on multiple processors so that the process appears to be usingonly one computing resource rather than multiple computing resources.Multiple virtual machines may also be used with one processor.

Memory 806 may include a computer system memory or random access memory,such as DRAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, and the like. Memory 806 may include othertypes of memory as well, or combinations thereof.

A user may interact with the computing device 800 through a visualdisplay device 818, such as a computer monitor, which may display one ormore graphical user interfaces 822 that may be provided in accordancewith exemplary embodiments. The computing device 800 may include otherI/O devices for receiving input from a user, for example, a keyboard orany suitable multi-point touch interface 808, a pointing device 810(e.g., a mouse), a microphone 828, and/or an image capturing device 832(e.g., a camera or scanner). The multi-point touch interface 808 (e.g.,keyboard, pin pad, scanner, touch-screen, etc.) and the pointing device810 (e.g., mouse, stylus pen, etc.) may be coupled to the visual displaydevice 818. The computing device 800 may include other suitableconventional I/O peripherals.

The computing device 800 may also include one or more storage devices824, such as a hard-drive, CD-ROM, or other computer readable media, forstoring data and computer-readable instructions and/or software thatimplement exemplary embodiments of the cash deposit system 100 describedherein. Exemplary storage device 824 may also store one or moredatabases for storing any suitable information required to implementexemplary embodiments. For example, exemplary storage device 824 canstore one or more databases 826 for storing information, suchbank-issued debit card numbers, bank account information, account holderinformation, and/or any other information to be used by embodiments ofthe system 100. The databases may be updated manually or automaticallyat any suitable time to add, delete, and/or update one or more items inthe databases.

The computing device 800 can include a network interface 812 configuredto interface via one or more network devices 820 with one or morenetworks, for example, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN)or the Internet through a variety of connections including, but notlimited to, standard telephone lines, LAN or WAN links (for example,802.11, T1, T3, 56 kb, X.25), broadband connections (for example, ISDN,Frame Relay, ATM), wireless connections, controller area network (CAN),or some combination of any or all of the above. In exemplaryembodiments, the computing device 800 can include one or more antennas830 to facilitate wireless communication (e.g., via the networkinterface) between the computing device 800 and a network. The networkinterface 812 may include a built-in network adapter, network interfacecard, PCMCIA network card, card bus network adapter, wireless networkadapter, USB network adapter, modem or any other device suitable forinterfacing the computing device 800 to any type of network capable ofcommunication and performing the operations described herein. Moreover,the computing device 800 may be any computer system, such as aworkstation, desktop computer, server, laptop, handheld computer, tabletcomputer (e.g., the iPad™ tablet computer), mobile computing orcommunication device (e.g., the iPhone™ communication device), point-ofsale terminal, internal corporate devices, or other form of computing ortelecommunications device that is capable of communication and that hassufficient processor power and memory capacity to perform the operationsdescribed herein.

The computing device 800 may run any operating system 816, such as anyof the versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, thedifferent releases of the Unix and Linux operating systems, any versionof the MacOS® for Macintosh computers, any embedded operating system,any real-time operating system, any open source operating system, anyproprietary operating system, or any other operating system capable ofrunning on the computing device and performing the operations describedherein. In exemplary embodiments, the operating system 816 may be run innative mode or emulated mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the operatingsystem 816 may be run on one or more cloud machine instances.

In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is used forthe sake of clarity. For purposes of description, each specific term isintended to at least include all technical and functional equivalentsthat operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.Additionally, in some instances where a particular exemplary embodimentincludes a plurality of system elements, device components or methodsteps, those elements, components or steps may be replaced with a singleelement, component or step. Likewise, a single element, component orstep may be replaced with a plurality of elements, components or stepsthat serve the same purpose. Moreover, while exemplary embodiments havebeen shown and described with references to particular embodimentsthereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that varioussubstitutions and alterations in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention. Further still, otherembodiments, functions and advantages are also within the scope of theinvention.

Exemplary flowcharts are provided herein for illustrative purposes andare non-limiting examples of methods. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that exemplary methods may include more or fewer stepsthan those illustrated in the exemplary flowcharts, and that the stepsin the exemplary flowcharts may be performed in a different order thanthe order shown in the illustrative flowcharts.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for remote access, the methodcomprising: receiving, at a computing device, data indicative of a cardnumber associated with a bank-issued debit card, the debit card beingassociated with a bank account at a bank that issued the bank-issueddebit card; receiving, at the computing device, data indicative of theamount of cash to be deposited into the account based on an amount ofcash provided at the computing device location; encrypting the dataindicative of the card number associated with the bank-issued debit cardto provide encrypted data indicative of the card number; and routing,via the computing device, the encrypted data indicative of the cardnumber and the data indicative of the amount of cash to a gateway vendorserver, the routing based on at least one digit of the card number,wherein the gateway vendor server routes the encrypted data indicativeof the card number and the data indicative of the amount of cash to apayment network server for deposit of the amount indicated by the datainto the bank account associated with the card number.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the card number is received at the computing devicewhen the bank-issued debit card is swiped or scanned at the computingdevice.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a fraud check is performed bythe gateway vendor server based at least in part on information providedby a user at the computing device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein afraud check is performed by the payment network server based at least inpart on information provided by a user at the computing device.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a fraud check is performed by a bank serverbased at least in part on information provided by a user at thecomputing device.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:comparing, at the computing device, the at least one digit of the cardnumber to a plurality of stored card numbers in a computing devicedatabase associated with the computing device to determine whether thecard number exists in the computing device database; in response todetermining a match between the at least one digit of the card numberand a stored card number of the plurality of stored card numbers,retrieving data indicative of a gateway vendor corresponding to the cardnumber from the computing device database; and routing the card numberand the data indicative of the amount of cash to a gateway vendor serverassociated with the retrieved gateway vendor; wherein the routing isdefined based on at least one digit of the card number.
 7. A system forremote access, the system comprising: a computing device moduleconfigured to: receive data indicative of a card number associated witha bank-issued debit card, the debit card being associated with a bankaccount at a bank that issued the bank-issued debit card; receive anamount of cash to be deposited into the account based on an amount ofcash provided at the computing device location; encrypt the dataindicative of the card number associated with the bank-issued debit cardto provide encrypted data indicative of the card number; and route theencrypted data indicative of the card number and data indicative of theamount of cash to a gateway vendor server, wherein the routing isdefined based on at least one digit of the card number, wherein thegateway vendor server routes the encrypted data indicative of the cardnumber and the data indicative of the amount of cash to a paymentnetwork server for deposit of the amount indicated by the data into thebank account associated with the card number.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein the card number is received at the computing device when thedebit card is swiped or scanned at the computing device.
 9. The systemof claim 7, wherein t a fraud check is performed by the gateway vendorserver based at least in part on information provided by a user at thecomputing device.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein a fraud check isperformed by the payment network server based at least in part oninformation provided by a user at the computing device.
 11. The systemof claim 7, wherein a fraud check is performed by a bank server based atleast in part on information provided by a user at the computing device,and/or past transactions to the bank account.
 12. The system of claim 7,wherein the computing device module is further configured to: comparethe at least one digit of the card number to a plurality of stored cardnumbers in a computing device database associated with the computingdevice to determine whether the card number exists in the computingdevice database; in response to determining a match between the at leastone digit of the card number and a stored card number of the pluralityof stored card numbers, retrieve data indicative of a gateway vendorcorresponding to the card number from the computing device database; androute the card number and the data indicative of the amount of cash to agateway vendor server associated with the retrieved gateway vendor,wherein the routing is based on at least one digit of the card number.13. A non-transitory machine readable medium storing instructionsexecutable by a processing device, wherein execution of the instructionscauses the processing device to implement a method for remote access,the method comprising: receiving, at a computing device, data indicativeof a card number associated with a bank-issued debit card, the debitcard being associated with a bank account at a bank that issued thebank-issued debit card; receiving, at the computing device, an amount ofcash to be deposited into the account based on an amount of cashprovided at the computing device location; encrypting the dataindicative of the card number associated with the bank-issued debit cardto provide encrypted data indicative of the card number; and routing,via the computing device, the encrypted data indicative of the cardnumber and data indicative of the amount of cash to a gateway vendorserver, wherein the routing is defined based on at least one digit ofthe card number, wherein the gateway vendor server routes the encrypteddata indicative of the card number and the data indicative of the amountof cash to a payment network server for deposit of the amount indicatedby the data into the bank account associated with the card number. 14.The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein thecard number is received at the computing device when the debit card isswiped or scanned at the computing device.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 13, wherein a fraud check is performedby the gateway vendor server based at least in part on informationprovided by a user at the computing device.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 13, wherein a fraud check is performedby the payment network server based at least in part on informationprovided by a user at the computing device.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 13, wherein a fraud check is performedby a the bank server based at least in part on information provided by auser at the computing device, and/or past transactions to the bankaccount.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13,wherein execution of the instructions further causes the processingdevice to: compare, at the computing device, the at least one digit ofthe card number to a plurality of stored card numbers in a computingdevice database associated with the computing device to determinewhether the card number exists in the computing device database; inresponse to determining a match between the at least one digit of thecard number and a stored card number of the plurality of stored cardnumbers, retrieve data indicative of a gateway vendor corresponding tothe card number from the computing device database; and route the cardnumber and the data indicative of the amount of cash to a gateway vendorserver associated with the retrieved gateway vendor, wherein the routingis based on at least one digit of the card number.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein thecomputing device is an existing computing device at a store operated bya cashier.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13,wherein the debit card is an existing debit card of a customer.